Both Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Council Chair Ernie Martin told Hawaii News Now Monday they don't like loopholes in Oahu's new plastic bag ban and are open to toughening the law, as environmentalists assail the new law as toothless.More >>

Both Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Council Chair Ernie Martin told Hawaii News Now Monday they don't like loopholes in Oahu's new plastic bag ban and are open to toughening the law, as environmentalists assail the new law as toothless.More >>

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

The battle over plastic bag bans in Honolulu continues.

Honolulu city council members planned to vote on whether to repeal or replace the ban on Wednesday. However, a last minute amendment by Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga put that vote on hold.

Councilwoman Fukunaga's resolution would repeal the plastic bag ban altogether and allow retailers to offer whatever kind of bag they want, as long, as they charge a 10-cent fee. But the newly proposed amendment would require a study of potential effects, and better enforcement of littering laws.

The late change forced the council to put off debate for another month.

On the other hand, Councilman Brandon Elefante's bill would strengthen the ban by eliminating the use of any kind of plastic bag by 2020.

Scientists agree that the Earth has been warming due to human-induced climate change, and as temperatures continue to rise, an increasing amount of severe weather events are expected to occur. Hawaii has already been seeing some of the impacts, researchers say, so how can the state prepare for more severe effects in the future?

Scientists agree that the Earth has been warming due to human-induced climate change, and as temperatures continue to rise, an increasing amount of severe weather events are expected to occur. Hawaii has already been seeing some of the impacts, researchers say, so how can the state prepare for more severe effects in the future?